Dear Editor,

During a recent motor trip to and from Atlanta on our Interstate highways, I made the following observations and now have questions we should all be asking our incumbent state legislators. (States traveled in were Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.)With the exception of South Carolina, Pennsylvania's road surface conditions were the worst. Why were our major roads allowed to deteriorate to this point? The other states had smooth roads and were a pleasure to drive on.We are all aware of what we pay for gasoline, and I saw all the other states selling gas at 20 to 40 cents per gallon less than in Pennsylvania. Why are our gas prices that significantly higher? Was it that major tax increase imposed earlier this year?State police presence was another major difference. South of the Pennsylvania border, there were ample, visible state police enforcing the 70 mph limits, and it was a pleasure to drive in traffic where everyone was traveling at the same speed. It makes for a safer drive. Returning to Pennsylvania on 166 miles of our Interstates, I saw not one Pennsylvania State Police vehicle and if unmarked cars were in use, they did nothing to slow down the cars and motorcycles whizzing by me at way above the 65 mph limit. Variable speeds create serious safety issues. You might ask: "Where are our state police?"Let's talk about the large trucks; every state except Pennsylvania had frequent and OPEN weigh stations, even on weekends. I can't remember when I last saw an open Pennsylvania weigh station or truck inspection team. Why aren't our (few) weigh stations in use? Noting the incredible increase in the number of warehouse and distribution centers along our Interstates, I'm wondering about the cozy relationship between our politicians and the trucking industry. Maybe we need to find out.Anyone motoring south can verify my observations. I suggest that before we knee-jerk vote again for our favorite incumbent politicians, we should ask what they have accomplished thus far (other than the tax increase) to address the above issues. We have the most beautiful state of all, but our highways should not be substandard and dangerous.David thor Straten-MohrFranklin Township